Search form

Receive bi-weekly news from The League delivered straight to your inbox.

Share This

May 7, 2014

UPDATE: Bike Funding Cut from TIGER

Federal News

by Andy Clarke

The next round of federal TIGER grants may EXCLUDE walking and bicycling.

This morning, the Transportation sub-committee of the powerful House Appropriations Committee debated its proposed funding for the Department of Transportation in 2015. The good news is they include the popular TIGER program — but for some inexplicable reason are proposing to disallow any funding for bike, pedestrian and transit projects as part of those grants.

The whole idea behind the TIGER program has been to encourage smart, multi-modal transportation projects that stimulate the economy at the local level — giving local governments the flexibility to invest in projects that make sense for them. Many of those projects have included significant bike/ped elements; some, like the Indianapolis Cultural Trail transportation project (pictured), have been focused on improving non-motorized transportation choices.

Don't let the House Appropriators eliminate local control of these grants.

The subcommittee passed this budget this morning but the full committee will be meeting soon to debate this again.

Comments

barry (not verified) Says

Please keep us updated on this.
It is not "inexplicable" - the reality is the Congressional Republican party has been totally captured by anti-environmental extremists who want to promote maximum development and use of fossil fuels. Biking walking or using transit doesn't serve these aims.
RI is applying for a current TIGER grant to plan improved bus hubs in downtown Providence. Such projects should not be excluded. What happened to the old GOP idea of state's rights??